Using Movies From the Lord’s Side of the Line

The list was compiled considering the following counsel from George Albert Smith: “All safety, all righteousness, all happiness are on the Lord’s side of the line . . . All that enriches our lives and prepares us for eternal joy is on the Lord’s side of the line” (Conference Report, Oct. 1949, 5-6).

Key quotes, ideas, principles, and scriptures are provided for most of the movies on the list. These “keys” unlock the principal messages in the films and provide a basis for discussing the stories together as a family.

The first 2 pages of the list give ideas and guidelines to parents on how to make wise media choices. Steve suggests that parents do the following:

Hold family councils to decide what your media standards are going to be.

Spend enough quality time with your children that you are the main influence in their lives.

Make good media choices yourself and set the example.

Limit the amount of time your children watch TV or play video games or use the Internet.

Use Internet filters.

Locate computers and TVs in much used common rooms.

Take time to watch appropriate media with your children and discuss with them how to make choices that will uplift and build rather than degrade and destroy.

To find more information about a movie you are considering, you may want to use the following sources:

I like your article Taking Control Back from Hollywood
by DAVID NIELSON on JUNE 16, 2008 states: “I have found that these two solutions (kids-in-mind.com and Clearplay) have helped me to take better control of the media I view and have allowed me to enjoy watching movies once again without worrying so much about what I am going to encounter. If you are aware of other solutions for reviewing or filtering out negative content from movies, I would love to hear about them.”

“Taking Control Back from Hollywood” is an ironic phrase…considering that many TBMs allow Hollywood to define which movies they should or shouldn’t see.

By faithfully following the film ratings given out by MPAA (a Hollywood political lobyying group), the blanket statement of “all R rated movies are bad!” is giving more and more power to Hollywood. Why are you letting a bunch of movie studio executives define which movies you should see?

The “don’t see R rated movies” line is outdated and not applicable for movies with tremendous merit like “Schindler’s List”, “Saving Private Ryan” and other very worthwhile films. Meanwhile movies of questionable merit that have a nice PG rating get a free pass.

“The bravery of soldiers portrayed and the tragedy of war documented without resorting to graphic violence and gore.”

It seems to me that war movies that don’t include graphic violence are whitewashing history, and contributing to the general public support for war because it’s seen as a bloodless, noble affair.

Personally, I think “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down” should be required viewing for all teenagers before they enlist in the armed forces. There’s nothing wrong with military service; I just think there needs to be some truth-in-advertising beforehand.

On the LDS Media Talk blog,
Larry Richman shares ideas with LDS parents and youth about how to use
materials published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the
"Mormons") and others. The blog also shares ideas on using technology to
strengthen families and share the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This blog is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. The views expressed here are the opinions of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the Church.
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